Analyzing Dramatic Elements: Dialogue

Dialect is the particular variety of a language spoken in one geographical area by a distinct group. Dialect includes the pronunciations, vocabulary, expressions, and grammatical constructions used by the people of a region. When Mama says, "much baking powder as she done borrowed from me all these years, she could of done gone into the baking business!" Hansberry uses her dialect to reveal Mama's wry humor, her frustration, her educational level, and her social background. As you read look for examples in the play's dialogue where dialect helps to reveal character.

Dialogue is written conversation between two or more characters. A play is created almost entirely of dialogue-conversation between characters. Through these conversations, we learn everything we know about the characters. Think about what is revealed about the relationship between George and Beneatha during their conversation in this section.

Act 1, Scene 1

Act 1, Scene 2

Act 2, Scene 1

Act 2, Scene 2

Act 2 Scene 3

Act 3

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Dejin Ali
Allen Allosh
Brian Armstrong
Gaby Calixto
Dulce Camacho
Sonia Ibarra
Yvette Cota
Deanna Elias
Mirna Fatho
Alissa Garcia
Sanders Camp
Ary Jarjis
Heather Kidd
Ashley Konig
Tymy Maclean
Alicia McDaniel
Morena Mekho
Zack Miller
Melissa Ortega
Tanya Pineda
Rachelle Plaisted
Karen Quinonez
Guillermo Reyes
Melissa Richardson
Bridget Rios
Lauren Tafoya
Aveen Saleh
Adrianne Sanchez
Samantha Sanchez
Nancy Shamon
Abigail Ruiz
Steven Tellez
Keanu Wagner
Stephani Whitehouse
Meshva Jariwala
Sonia De La Mora